"80% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides"

Israel: New plant protector based on vegetal oil protects plants against pests and fungal diseases

The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture approved the use of new developed pesticide based on non-toxic and edible oils. The developed "Tamar Tech" is innovative plant-protection product. When sprayed on the plants in the field or in the greenhouse it covers the leaves, stems and fruits, protecting them from attacks by insects, spider-mites and fungi. The core of this product is an emulsion of vegetal oils, extracted from certain plants. Therefore it is an organic product. It is harmless to plants, vertebrates or to humans. It may be applied also shortly before the harvest. It is removed from the consumed part by normal rinsing in running water.

The product was developed by the Israeli ARO (Agricultural Research Organization), during the last 5 years together with the Israeli laboratory "Agro Shelef". According to Agro Shelef, the experience accumulated in Israel on over 200 ha of beef and cherry tomatoes, strawberries and other crops, brought about an up to 80% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides.

This success has led to a current large-scale experimentation project throughout Israel in commercial production of citrus and 300 ha of cucumbers. Some of the crops in which "Tamar-Tech" has demonstrated its beneficial effects are: tomato, bell-pepper, cucumber, zucchini, aubergine, strawberry, flowers, herbs and citrus.

The main arthropods controlled in vegetables and fruit trees are various spider-mites, including Red Spider-mite (Tetranychus urticae), different aphids, greenflies, whiteflies, e.g. Bemisia tabaci, mealy bugs, and thrips. The main fungal diseases currently controlled by "Tamar-Tech" are Oidium, Oidiopsis and alternaria.

More details can be found on the website of Agro Shelef: www.agroshelef.com

Publication date: Fri 7 Jun 2013